Institutional Causes and Countermeasures for Agricultural Chemical Pollution in China

Environmental problems in rural areas of China can be fundamentally solved by preventing and controlling agricultural chemical pollution. On the basis of local and foreign literature, the current research used relevant statistical data regarding the use of chemical fertilizers from 1993 to 2013 and the use of agricultural films and pesticides from 1993 to 2012. Then, the paper adopted SSPS calculation, comparative analysis, and chart analysis methods to analyse the status quo of China’s agricultural chemical pollution. Results show that between 1993 and 2013, the total amount of fertilizers used in 31 provinces and cities of China has significantly increased, and the intensity of fertilizer use increases yearly. Moreover, the number of provinces that exceeded the international standard for fertilizer use (225 kg/hm2) has increased from 8 to 28. During the same period, the ratio of fertilizer use in China has changed but remained far from scientific use. Furthermore, the use of agricultural films and pesticides between 1993 and 2012 has assumed an upward trend. Overall, China’s agricultural chemical pollution becomes increasingly serious, thereby endangering the rural environment and agricultural resources and threatening human health and life. As such, this study conducted a unique and in-depth analysis from an institutional perspective and provided countermeasures and recommendations for the institutional transition of China in terms of prevention and control of agricultural chemical pollution.